Valve mechanism



June 29, 1943.

v. o. BEAM um: uEcHAnIsu Filed sept. '23, 1942 IN1/mma. V/LYNN 0. 5F/m Patented June 29, 1943 i UNITED y STATES PATENT FFICE. 1 2,322,911 i' Y VALVE MECHANISM Viiynn 0. Beam, Minneapolis, Minn., assignor to Minneapolis-Honeywell Regulator Company, Minneapolis, Minn., a corporation of Delaware Application September 23, 1942, Serial No. 459,379 12 mmm.i (c1. 137-144) employing an electromagnetic valve actuating mechanism.-

An `object of the present invention is to provide an improved valve mechanism ofV the type having a first valve opening and second and third v openings adapted to be `selectively connected with the first opening in which a pair of valve members are provided between the first opening and the second and third openings with electromagnetic means for selectively closing one or the other of said two valve members.

A `further object of the present invention is to provide a valve mechanism of the type set forth in the previous object in which provision is madel for insuring against the simultaneous closure of both valve members.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a valve mechanism of the type referred to in the previous objects in which provision is made for removing the entire electromagnetic operating unit and valve members from the valve casing.

Another object of the present invention is to provide such an arrangement in which the electromagnetic operating mechanism is thoroughly sealed from the fluid passing through the valve.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a solenoid valve mechanism in which a single spring serves as a strain release spring in the connections of two oppositely disposed valve stems to their respective solenoid cores.y

Other objects of the invention will be apparent from a consideration of the accompanying specification, claims and drawing of which Figure 1 is a horizontal sectional view of my improved valve assembly, the section being taken along the line 2`2 of Figure 2,

Figure 2 is an elevational view of my, valve assembly, and l y lFigure 3 is a detailed view on a. somewha larger scale of the means for connecting the valve stem to the solenoid cores.

Referring to the drawings, the valve assembly is housed within a valve casing having an outlet portion II and two inlet portions I2 and I3. The outlet portion II is provided with a flange I4 and the inlet portions I2 and I3 with flanges I5 and I6. Flanges I4, l5 and I6 are provided in any conventional manner wit-h apertures for the'reception of bolts for securing the valve seats y tanks in an airplane to the intake manifold. In such a case, the flanges I5 and I6 are attached to `conduits leading to the fuel tanks while the flange Il is secured to the manifold. I

The central portion of the valve is enlarged to provide uid passages and a chamber for the operating mechanism; Extending between the inlet connection I2 and the upper left-hand portion of the'enlarged center portion of the valve casing is a partition wall I3. This partition wall is separated from the` outer wall of the valve casing to form an inlet passage I3. An aperture 20 extends through the partition wall I8 and is surrounded at its lower end by a valve seat 2|. A partition wall 22 also extends between the inlet connection I3 and the lower left-hand partof the central enlarged portion. Partition wall 22 is provided with a removable circular section 23 threadedly secured to the partition wall about the same center line as that of valve opening 2l previously referred to. The removable section 23 is provided with a valve opening 24, also having a common center line with opening 2l.

-Surrounding the opening 24 is an upwardly extending portion 23 constituting a second valve seat. Recesses 26 extend into the lower surface of the section 23 to facilitate the removal of the section. A gasket 21 is located between the partition wall and a flange of the removable section 23 and acts .to seal thoroughly the connection between section 23 and the partition wall.

The casing is provided with an enlarged central portion with a cylindrical wall30 forming a central cylindrical chamber. This chamber is designed to house the electromagnetic actuating mechanism for the valve. The upper end of wall 30 terminates in an inwardly directed flange- 3i. an inwardly directed flangel 33 and is threaded to receive a retaining ring 33. The retaining ring 34 is of the same diameter as the removable section 23 of partitionwall 22 and is threaded in the same manner so as to be removable through the opening provided by .the removable section 23. The retaining ring 34 is provided with openings 35 in its lower surface to permit the turning oi' the retaining ring by a wrench.

A combined end plate and core stop member 3l is seated against the upper flange 3|. A sealing washer v38 is interposed between the member 31 and the flange 3l. The upper portion of the member 31 is provided with a reduced cylindrical portion 33 of the same diameter as the opening surrounded by flange 3I. This reduced cylindrical portion 3 3 serves to center member 31 with The lower end of the wall 30 is formed with,

respect to the chamber -formed by wall 50. The lower end of member 31 is in the iorm of a cylinder 48 oi' considerable smaller diameter than the rest of the member. This portion 48 constitutes a core stop at the upper end of the solenoid assembly. This core .stopl is Provided with a conical recess 4I (Figure 3) to cause the pull `to be more uniform, as is conventional in the direct current solenoid art. 'I'he upper end of a bobbin the core stop portion oi' member 44 and is soldered thereto as indicated at 45. The member 44.is identical to member 31. Thus, it has a cylindrical core stop portion 48 having a conical recess 41. (Figure v3).

a diameter to ilt into the circular opening oi retaining ring 34. A gasket 58-1 interposed be- .tween the retaining ring 34 an ,member 44.

It will be noted 1that members 31 and 44 to- `gether withthe wall 30, the retainer ring 34, and gaskets 38 and 58 form a iluid tight chamber sealed from any contact with the iluid passing through the valve casing. It is within this chamber that the electrical windings of the sole noid operating mechanism are located. These windings consist of two coils 52 and 53 mounted upon the bobbin tube 42. Disposed adjacent the innermost ends of coils 52 and 53 are two end v washers 54 and 55 of suitable magnetic material. AA further washer 56 of non-magnetic material auch as aluminum is located between the two washers 54 and 55 to space these two washers Aapart and to separate them magnetically. Surrounding vthe entire core assembly is a cylindrical sleeve 58 oi' magnetic material. Slidably secured in the bobbin tube 42 are a pair of solenoid cores Il and 88. These cores are best shown in Figure 3. Core 59 is provided with a conical end 5l adapted to iit within the conical recess 4| Similarly, core 58 is provided with a conical end 52 A adapted to fit within the conical recess 41 of core -stop 44. Thesetwo core members 59 and 50 are threadedly secured to a sleeve 540i' non-magnetic material. Sleeve 64 has a collar 65, extending It is also provided with a' ,downwardly extending cylindrical portion 48 of valve stem 14. The manner in which retainer disk 12 and valve seating disk 12 are secured to valve stem 14 is identical to that described in connection with retainer disk 41 and valve stem the outward movement oi valve stems 88 and 14 to the 4position shown in Figure 3 in which they are in engagementy with washers 1'8 and`80 which are interposed between the ends of sleeve 84 and l the cores 58'and 80. A spring 82 is located withbtween the two core members 59 and 6i), serving vf vcluding core 59, washer and core stop member to separate the two core members magnetically from each other. 'I'he entire assembly comprising core members 59 and 88 and sleeve 8.4 move together as a unitary solenoid core .assembly within the bobbin tube 42.

Referring again to Figure l, a valve seat disk l l is secured within a retainer disk 81.. The retainer disk 61 is secured to a valve stem 68. 'I'he valve stem 58 is reduced at its upper end so as to extend through aligned openings in the retainer disk Bland seating disk 56. The retainer disk 18 is interposed between the peened end 58 and the seating disk 66. It is to be noted that theseating disk 86 is designed `to seat on the valve seat 2l. A second valve seating disk 13 adapted to seat on the valve seat 25 is secured within a retainer disk 1 2 which in turn is'secured 'to a in the cylindrical recess of sleeve 84 and bears at its opposite end against the washers 11 and 18 secured to the ends oi' valve stems 88 and 14.

The spring 82 serves t0 bias valve stems 68 and 1 4 to their outermost positions shown in Figure y3.

Because of the spring 82, either valve stem 58 orl 14 can move inwardly against the action of spring 82 as shown in connection with valve stem 68 in Figure 1. The spring 82 thus serves as an element oi' a strain release connection between valve stems 68 and 89 and their respective cores. Because of the strain release connection, it is possible for either core to move into direct engagement with its associated core stop and at the same time 'provide firm seating of the associated valve seating disk with its valve seat.

As best indicated in Figure 1', the valve stems 88 and 14 are of such-length that when they are in the position shown in Figure 3, Vthe valve seating disks 88 and 13 are spaced apart a distance considerably less than the distance between the valve seats themselves. Thus, it is impossible for the valve seating disks both to be engaged with their respective valve seats at the same time. This is very important in certain applications of the valvel where it is always desired to maintain communication between the outlet and one of the two inlets at all times.

Referring brieily to the operation of the mecha- 'nism described so far, the coils 52 and 53 are associated with the coress59 and 60, respectively. These coils are selectively energized so as to move either core 59 or core 68, depending upon which coil is energized, into engagement with its asso. ciated core stop. Thus, when coil 521s energized, magnetic iiux flows through the iluxA path intion 48. Due to the conical recess and conical extremity, the reduction in the amount of the air gap is gradual so as to cause a more uniform pull to be exerted on the solenoid core through'- out its range of movement. With core 59 in ensagement with core stop 49, the seating disk 66 is engaged with the valve seat 2| and seating disk 13 is separated from its associated valve 'seat 25.

When, on the other hand, coil 53 ls energized, magnetic flux ilows through the path including the core 60, the combined end washer and core stop member 44, the magnetic sleeve 58, and end Washer 55. As a result of uxflowing through this circuit, the core 50 moves into engagement with the core stop member 44 so that seating when solenoid coil 52 is energized, gas may iiow from the tank connected with inlet il through A` the valve opening 24 and out through outletcll. When, on the other hand, solenoid coil I2 is energized, communication vis established between the I gas ltank connected to inlet i2 and outlet Ii through the opening 20. i

A very important feature of the present invention is the ease with which the various elements may be assembled and disassembled. As noted above, provision is made for removing the entire valve assembly including the operating mechanismtherei'or from one end ofthe valve casing. Attention has been previously directed to the retaining ring. and the removable secl tion 23 oi' partition wall 22. A circular closure plug 85 is secured within the lower portion of the valve casing. The closure plugs, the removable section 23, the retainer ring Il and the entire lvalve assembly all are disposed about a common center line. The closure plug 85 is provided with recesses 86 to accommodate the lugs of a wrench. 'Ihe gasket 81 is located between the valve casing- 'I1 and the flange of the closure plug i5. The

smaller in diameter than the opening surrounded by ilange 3| and sincev the cylindrical magnetic sleeve 58 surrounding the coils 52 and 53 is slightly less indiameter than the opening surrounded by flange 33, the entire solenoid and valve assembly can be withdrawn through the opening provided by the removal ofthe retainer ring. Since the opening provided by the removal of section 23 in the opening is the same in size,

or slightly larger, the solenoid and valve assembly can likewise be withdrawn through this opening. Y Since the opening provided by the removal of closure plug B5 is even larger, the elements can be freely drawn through this opening. It will be thus seen that the entire solenoid and valve assembly can be withdrawn from one end of the valve casing. This permits the ready repair of any of the elements of the assembly. Furthermore, this permits the assembly of all the movable elements of the assembly outside of the valve casing where they can be most conveniently` assembled. The entire unit is then inserted within the valve casing and is clamped in position by the application of retainer ring ll. The removable section 23 is then placed in position and finally the closure plug B3 is screwed into position.

for purposes of illustration andthat my invention is to be limited'only bythe scope of the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

l. An electromagnet valve assembly comprising a valve casing having a 'plurality of lopenings for the passage of fluid therethrough, a plurality of valve seats lall of which communicate with a first of said. openings and each of which communicates with a diilerentone of the other of said openings, a plurality of valve members, each cooperating with one of said valve seatskrsaid housing having a chamber disposed between said valve members, electromagnetic operating mechanism for said valve members disposed in said chamber, said electromagnetic mechanism com- -prising electrical windings, and means for sealing saidv windings against the fluid passing through'said valve casing. l

2. An electromagnet valve assembly comprising a valve casing having three openings for the passage of iluid therethrough, a pair of opposed valve seats both of which communicate with a nrst of said openings and each of which communicates with a different one of the other two of said openings, a pair of valve members, each cooperating with one of said valve seats, said `housing having a chamber disposed between said valve members, and electromagnetic operating ing a valve casing having three openings for the passage of uid therethrough, a pair of opposed circular valve seats having a common center `v line, both of which valve seats communicate with a first of said openings and each of Vwhich It will be seen that I have provided an extremely compact and simply assembled valve mechanism in which provision is made for connecting one opening with either of two other openings and in which provision is made for insuring that the ilrst opening is always connected with one of the other openings. Furthermore, it will be seen that the valve assembly can be readily assembled or repaired conveniently at any time. y

While I have shown a speciilc embodiment of my invention, it isto be understood that this is communicates with a different one'of the other two of said openings, a pair of circular valve members, each cooperating with one of said valve seats, said housing having a chamber disposed between said valve members, electromagnetic operating mechanism for said` valve members disposed in said chamber, said electromagnetic mechanism comprising electrical windings, and

means' for sealing said windings against the fluid passing through said valve assembly.

4. An electromagnet valve assembly compris-l ing a valve casing having three openings for the passage of fluid therethrough, a pair of opposed Vvalve seats both "of which communicate with a nrst of said openings and each oi' which communicates with a diierent one of the other two of said openings, a pair of valve members, each cooperating with one of said valve seats, means operatively connecting 'said vvalve members together so as to prevent the simultaneous engagement of both valve members with their associated valve seats, said housing having a chamber disposed `between said valve members, and

lelectromagnetic operating mechanism for,said

valve members disposer) in said chamber.

5. A ,solenoid vvalve assembly comprising a valve casing having `three openings for the passage of fluid therethrough, a pair of opposed valve seats both of which communicate with a iirst of said openings and each of which com? oi' valve stems, one secured to each valve member andto said solenoid core assembly. i

6. A solenoid valve assembly comprising a valve'casing having three openings for the passage of iluid therethrough,v a pair of opposed valve seats both oi' which communicate with a rst of said openings and each of which communicates with a diierent one of the other two of said-openings. a pair of valve members, each cooperating with one oi Asaid valve seats, said housing having a chamber disposed between said valve members, Ia pair of vsolenoid windings sealed within said chamber and having aligned openings therethrough, a solenoid core assembly movably disposed in said openings, a valve stem secured to each valve member and extending from opposite directions into said solenoid. lcore assembly, and one-way strain release means for connecting said valve stems to said solenoid core assembly so as to permit said valve stems to move inwardly but so as to limit the outward movement of said valve members to prevent the simultaneous engagement of both valve members with their seats. y

7. A solenoid valve assembly comprising a valve casing having three openings for the passage of iiuid therethrough, a pair of opposed valve seats both of which communicate with a first of said openings and each of which communicates with a dlierent one of the other two of said openings, a pair of valve members, each cooperating with one of said valve seats, said housing having a chamber disposed between said valve members, a vpair of solenoid windings sealed within said chamber and having aligned openings therethrough, a solenoid core assembly movably disposed in said openings, a valve `stern secured to each valve member and extending .from opposite directions into said solenoid core assembly, a spring within said solenoid core assembly biasing said valve stems and hence said valve members outwardly in the direction of their valve seats, and means for limiting the outward movement of said valve members so as to prevent the simultaneous engagementof both valve members with their seats.

8. A solenoid valve assembly comprising a valve casing having three openings for the passage oi iiuid therethrough, a pair ofopposed valve seats both of which communicate with `a first of said openings and each of which communicates `with a different one of the other two of said openings, a pair ofA valve members, each cooperating with one of said valve seats, said housing having a chamber disposed between said valve members, a pair of solenoid windings sealed within said chamber and having aligned openings therethrough, a pair of solenoid cores movably disposed in said openings, a non-magnetic sleeve mechanically connecting said cores together but maintainingsaid cores magnetically separated, a valve stem secured to each valve member and extending through its respective core, a spring within said sleeve biasing said valve stems and hence said valve members outwardly in the direction of their valve seats, and means for limiting the outward movement of said valve members so as to prevent the simultaneous engagement of both valve members with their seats.

9. An electromagnetic valve assembly comprising a valve casing having three openings for the passage of uid therethrough, said casing further having a wall forming a central chamber, a partition wally extendingI between a flrst of said openings and a second of said openings kand having a removable section with a valve seat therein, said casing being provided with a further valve seat disposed between said iirst open- .ing and the third of said openings, said lastnamedseat'being disposed on the opposite side o! said central chamber from said first-named valve seat, a pair of valve members, each cooperating with one of said valve seats, electromagnetic operating mechanism for said valve memberslocated within said central chamber, a removable retaining member adjacent said removable section of said partition wall for retaining said electromagnetic mechanism in said chamber, and a removable section in the outer wall of saidvcasing adjacent said retaining member and removable section of said partition wall, the size of said electromagnetic mechanism and valve members with respect to said retaining member and removable sec/tions of the casing and partition 'wall being such that upon removal of said retaining member and said removable sections, said electromagnetic mechanism and valve members can be removed as a unit from said casing.

10. An electromagnetic valve assembly comprising a valve casing` having three openings for the passage of iluid therethrough, said casing further having a wall forming a central cylindrical chamber, a partition wall extending between a first of said openings and a second of said openings and having a removable circular section `with a valve seat therein, said casing being provided with a further valve seat disposed between said first opening and the third of said openings, said last-named seat being disposed on the opposite side of said central chamber from said rst-named valve seat and having a common center line therewith, a pair of valve members, each cooperating with one of said valve seats, cylindrical electromagnetic operating mechanism for said valve members located within said central cylindrical chamber, ya removable circular retaining member adjacent said removable section of said partition wall for retaining said electromagnetic mechanism in said chamber, and a removable circular section in the outer wall of said casing adjacent said retaining member and removable section of said partition wall, said electromagnetic mechanism,

members with respect to said retaining member and removable sections of the casing and partition wall being such that upon removal oi said retaining member and said removable sections, said electromagnetic mechanismand valve members can be removed as a unit from said casing.

1l. An electromagnetic valve assembly comprising a valve casing having .three openings for the passage of uid therethrough, said casing further having a wall forming a central chamber, a partition wall extending between a ilrst of said openings and a second of said openings and having a removable section with a valve seat therein, said casing being provided with a furthervalve seat disposed between said rst opening and the third of said openings, said lastnamed seat being disposed on the Iopposite side of said central 4chamber from said ilrst-named valve seat, a pair of valve members, each cooperating with one of said valve seats, a pair of solenoid coils having aligned openings located within said central chamber, a removable retain- 2,822,911 said partition wall for retaining said solenoidcoils sealed in said chamber, a pair oi' solenoid cores slidably -mounted within the openings of said coils, each of said cores being connected to one of said valve members, and a removable section in the outer wall of said casing adjacent said retaining member and removable section of said partition wall, the size of said solenoid coils and valve members with respect to said retaining member and removable sections of the casing and partition wall being such that upon removal of said retaining member and said removable sections, said solenoid coils and cores and said valve members can be removed as a unit from said casing.

' 12. An electromagnetic valve assembly comprising a valve casing having three openings for the passage of uid therethrough, said casing further having a wall forming a central open ended chamber, a partition wall extending between a first of said openings and a second of said openings and having a removable section with a valve seat therein, said casing being provided with a further valve seat disposed between said first opening and the third of said openings. said last-named seat being disposed on the 0pposite side ofsaid central chamber from said mst-'named valve seat, a pair of valve members,

each cooperating with one of said valve seats and each being o! a size slightly less than the end openings of said central chamber, a pair of solenoid coils having aligned openings located within said central chamber, a washer of magnetic material adjacent the outer end of one of said coils and closing one end opening of said chamber, a washer oi magnetic material adjacent the outer end o! the other coil, a removable retaining member cooperating with said lastnamed 'washer to retain said lelectromagnetic mechanism in said chamber and to close the other open end ot said chamber, a pair of solenoid cores slidably mounted within the openings of' said coils, each of said cores being connected g to one of said valve members, and a removable section in the outer wall of said casing adjacent i said retaining member and said removable section of said partition wall, the size of said solenoid coils with respect to said retaining member and removable sections of the casing and partition wall being such that upon removal of said retaining member and said removable sections, said solenoid coils and cores and said valve members can be removed as a unit from said casing.

VILYNN O. BEAM.l 

